Mourners stop by Boulder's 'Mork and Mindy' house to remember Robin Williams

By Joe Rubino

Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
08/11/2014 10:14:58 PM MDT

Updated:
08/12/2014 08:23:54 AM MDT

Elizabeth Mac, at right, and her daughter Calli Kreloff take a photograph of the memorial for the late Robin Williams on Monday at the Mork and Mindy house in Boulder. For a video interview with a fan of Robin Williams at the Mork and Mindy house go to www.dailycamera.com. (Jeremy Papasso / Daily Camera)

As news of his death spread Monday evening, local fans of actor and comedian Robin Williams gathered at the Boulder house that served as the launching pad for his career to pay their respects.

Williams played Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, in the sitcom "Mork and Mindy," which aired from 1978 to 1982, and helped kickstart his illustrious show business career.

Mork and Mindy made their earthbound home at the Queen Anne style house located at 1619 Pine St. in Boulder.

A steady stream of supporters stopped by the old house Monday evening to leave flowers, hang signs with message of remembrance or simply sit quietly as the news sunk in that Williams had unexpectedly died at age 63.

"It's sad, especially considering how many people he made happy and made smile," Boulder's Liz Mac said, adding she particularly loved his stand-up comedy specials "He was so talented. He could become any character. He will be truly missed."

Mac and her daughter, Calli Kreloff, 19, were among several multigenerational groups of mourners at the house. Though Kreloff was mostly familiar with Williams through satirical portrayals of him, such as in episodes of the animated series "Family Guy," Mac said she once took her daughter and son to see a screening of some "Mork and Mindy" episodes at the Boulder Theater. She said she was a fan of the show when it was on the air.

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Boulder resident Amanda Mahaffey brought her 8-month old daughter, Rosie, with her to the house. Mahaffey said she used to love the show and put on an episode for her young daughter after hearing the sad news.

"It amazed me how strongly I felt about it actually. I just couldn't stop crying," Mahaffey said. "He was really an unparalleled talent as a comedian."

Even U.S. Representative Jared Polis stopped by, tweeting out a photo of himself in full Mork costume in front of 1619 Pine St. Monday evening.

The opening of "Mork and Mindy" featured Williams and co-star Pam Dawber driving through portions of Boulder. And while most of the show was shot in a California studio, a few scenes were shot locally.

One of them involved Mork roller skating down Flagstaff and the Pearl Street Mall. The New York Deli, now the site of Hapa Sushi, was a regular hang-out on the show.

Local real estate broker John McElveen worked as a stand-in and body double for Williams on the show back when the two men had "the same build, same nose, same coloring, same hair," McElveen remembered.

"He was a really kind, sensitive guy on a personal level, and when you got to know him he was a really quiet guy, actually," McElveen said. "But he could flip that switch."

The two crossed paths about 10 years ago in a San Francisco restaurant owned by Williams, McElveen said, and Williams spent 15 minutes at his table laughing, joking and entertaining the group he was with.

"Every time I drive down Pine Street I look over at that house. Those were fun times. Some great times," McElveen said. "But it will certainly take on a different flavor now."